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PROFILE OF HIV EPIDEMIC IN MINNESOTA
REPORT INDICATES STEADY RATE
OF NEW CASES DIAGNOSED
In 2008, 326 new cases of HIV were
reported in Minnesota. This is
statistically flat versus the prior year
but remains at a level not seen since
the mid 1990s.
Absent comprehensive HIV education
for all Minnesotans, this trend is
to be expected as more people in
Minnesota live longer with HIV due to
medical advances.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
In 2008, 43% of the newly reported
cases of HIV resided in Minneapolis,
9% in Saint Paul, 36% in Twin
Cities’ suburbs, and 12% in Greater
Minnesota.
These numbers have remained
relatively steady over the past few
years. However, over the past five
years, there has been a steady
increase of newly reported cases from
the Twin Cities suburbs.
STEADILY INCREASING NUMBER
LIVING WITH HIV OR AIDS
As of December 31, 2008, 6,220
people are known to be living with HIV
in Minnesota.
• 3,415 living with HIV infection
• 2,805 living with AIDS diagnosis
PERINATAL TRANSMISSION
In 2008 there were no cases reported
in Minnesota of mother-to-child HIV
transmission. A total of 50 infants were
delivered to HIV+ mothers during 2008.
Experts estimate approximately
2,500 Minnesotans are believed to
be living with HIV but do not know
they are infected.
MINNESOTA GAY & BISEXUAL MEN
STILL MOST AFFECTED BY HIV
77% of Minnesota’s living cases of HIV
are male. Of that population, 85% are
reported to have contracted this virus
through male-to-male sex and, by total
population, this group remains the
largest community impacted by the HIV
virus in Minnesota. Disproportionately,
African American gay and bisexual
men are represented in this group.
RAPID INCREASE IN YOUNG GAY &
BISEXUAL MEN
Since 2001, there has been a steady
increase in new cases occurring
within the population of young gay and
bisexual men (under the age of 24).
In 2008, there was approximately
double the number of newly reported
cases in this demographic as
compared to 2001 reports.
For the 117 young men who tested
HIV-positive during the three year
period of 2006—2008, all of the young
men, who reported risk, indicated
same sex contact.
AN EPIDEMIC OF COLOR – AFRICAN
AMERICANS AND AFRICAN BORN
COMMUNITIES
Overall, only 53% of newly-reported
cases occurred in Caucasians. This in
contrast with Minnesota population
demographics that show the state to
be 86% Caucasian.
Minnesota continues
to see great success
in preventing new
infections linked to
injecting drug use. Only
4% new cases diagnosed
last year indicated
injecting drug use as
the only risk factor. This
compares positively to
the national average of
approximately 13%.
4 | 2008 ANNUAL REPORT